The Chicago Bears are providing opportunities for children to learn and play football through their official Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps.
These week-long, day-camps provide non-contact football instruction to kids ages 6 to 14.
Rather than invite the kids to Halas Hall or Bourbonnais, the Bears are bringing the camp right Elmhurst College July 18-22. This is the fifth year Elmhurst College has hosted the Chicago Bears program.
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The Bears believe the safe, non-contact program model is the most effective way to teach the kids, while providing comfort to parents with concerns about tackle football. The philosophy is: Today’s youth football players are the NFL stars and fans of tomorrow. The more kids understand and play the game, the more they like it.
“We want football to be accessible to kids,” program director Tom Finks said, adding the program's coaching resources include many alumni Bears players. "The non-contact format allows us to safely introduce the game to newcomers, while at the same time we can challenge and develop experienced players.”
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Finks has been around football his entire life. His late father, Jim Finks, was once the Chicago Bears general manager and is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.
“One thing I learned from my dad is athleticism comes first,” Finks said. “Whether it was a quarterback, linebacker or an offensive lineman, the player needed to demonstrate a wide variety of skills, speed and agility. He loved lineman who could run, catch and shoot a basketball. That idea of ‘developing athleticism’ is a key part of our non-contact football camps.”
All 27 program locations offer non-contact instruction; kids wear T-shirts and shorts and develop skills without any issues related to tackle practice.
Camps are led by professional educators with high school or college coaching experience. Former Bear players such as Robin Earl, Mickey Pruitt, Kris Haines, Allan Ellis, Jim Morrissey, Al Harris and others provide supplemental instruction at all camps. Certified athletic trainers also are available.
Group discounts, customer discount opportunities, payment plans and scholarships are available. For more about Chicago Bears Youth Football Camps, visit www.BearsCamps.com or call 312-226-7776.
